The General Assembly of Spital STS AG on June 27, 2022 recognized a very challenging but economically successful year.
For the second time in a row, the Covid-19 pandemic had a significant impact on Spital STS AG’s financial year. In contrast to the previous year, there was no cantonal emergency ordinance for 2021 that would have partially compensated for the burden caused by Corona. Fortunately, Spital STS AG was able to close the 2021 financial year with a positive result.
The overall result was earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) of CHF 16.7 million (previous year: CHF 16 million). The EBITDA margin is therefore 5.6 percent (previous year: 5.9 percent). The overall result shows a profit of 5.9 million for 2021. In the previous year, a profit of 4.7 million francs was reported, but at that time only thanks to the cantonal compensation payment of 6 million.
The positive result is particularly noteworthy given that the pandemic once again restricted operations at both the beginning and end of the year. The increased Covid-19 capacities in the intensive care unit at the Spital Thun were maintained until the end of February 2021 and the number of elective operations was reduced accordingly.
At the beginning of March 2022, normal operation in the surgical program could be resumed before half of the operating theaters had to be temporarily closed in December for capacity reasons. Nevertheless, Spital STS AG was able to determine a significant increase in the number of patients compared to the previous year – measured over the whole year.
Increase in the inpatient sector
Compared to 2020, there has been an increase in the inpatient area from 15,335 to 16,550 (plus 1,215 patients or plus 7.9 percent). The severity (case mix index) was slightly lower at 0.918, which corresponds to minus 1.4 percent compared to the previous year (0.931). The demand for outpatient services, on the other hand, increased significantly (plus 9.5 percent).
The numbers from the maternity ward are also pleasing: in 2021, 1,195 babies were born at the Thun hospital – more than ever before. Cash and cash equivalents increased significantly by 20 million francs and amounted to 38.1 million francs as of December 31, 2021 (previous year: 18.1 million francs). Equity rose by CHF 5.9 million to CHF 220.9 million, which corresponds to a very solid equity ratio of 78.4 percent.
More on the subject:
